Question

In the story merchant of venice by shakespeare, what does 'to do a great right, do a little wrong" refer to?

Answer 1

The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice (Antonio) must default on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for Shylock and the famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech on humanity. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy". Critic Harold Bloom listed it among Shakespeare's great comedies.[1]

Answer 2

To do a great right, do a little wrong

This line is spoken by Bassanio in Act 4 Scene 1 which refers to his request to the Duke to use powers that he hold as a judge of Venice to break the laws ( little wrong) or play some mischief and save Antonio from the clutches of Shylock. ( a great right)